Matfield was an outstanding playere in all departments – one of the highest tackle rates in the team, always up for the attack and the drive – superb leadership skills and courage – led the Twickenham match at the end of 2010 with a broken rib, while three English forwards got carried off … this is before we talk about his peerless lineout presence and ability – your allegations and same with UK Bok are so way off the mark.

Compare that to Bekker, who, as others have said, is brilliant in open field play as well. He is a much better ball carrier with superb hands. In 2010 he had no equal, but 2011 was his year of injuries. 1 year is a long time in rugby and it seems everyone has forgotten just how good Bekker was in 2010.

Matfield was poor throughout 2011. Terrible S15 campaign and far below his best form in the WC. Bekker should have started the 2011 WC, John Smit permitting, if he hadn’t been injured.

– How Rassie Erasmus was forced out of the Western Province set-up by self-serving elected officials
looking forward to hearing more about this.. Surprise Surprise..

– Chiliboy Ralepelle wants to produce his best form for the Bulls this season and challenge Bismarck du Plessis for the Springbok No 2 jersey
After Bismark has played second fidle to JS all this time?? Good luck Chili it will be no easy task – Purely on Merit, not to take anything away from u Chili, showing good form.

– Reds coach Ewen McKenzie joins the SA Rugby magazine team as a columnist
Sounds like a decent read..

– Maties are using GPS technology to monitor their players’ performance

Who isn’t??

– Coaches should be making their selections for the 2012 Six Nations with the 2015 World Cup in mind

??? Im sure they are, Engleand seem to be building/blooding the youngsters with that obvious intention.. Though this was SA Rugby Magazine??

– Former Sharks centre Brad Barritt went to London to study and ended up playing for England

Hmm not sure a buy that. Im sure it was always his intention once he left..

I also favour Potties above Stegman, been a fan of his for a few years now. The perfect “hybrid” type of player that people talk about.

Morne isn’t the best line runner in the world.

But at test level you need to bank your points and still at this time there is no one in SA that comes close to Morne in that regard.

You must have a “Morne” somewhere in the team.

The Stormers now have that in Joe Pieterson, who isn’t quite as good as Morne in his percentages, but pretty good.

I’m reserving judgement on Carr, he may turn out to be the business, i hope he does, but we’ll see.

Botha has been coming on strong the past year or so. He really impressed in the junior WC.

I think in a season or so he’ll eclipse Pierre.

But it was the first match , so not mutch to read into it.

We have a lot of young talent, I rate Carr of WP some of the best linking play from 8 , Arno Botha Bulls , thought Sadie tried to hard to impress.

Potgieter actually played again , CJ Stander was good.

In the Bulls I like to have Potgier rather thatn Stegman ( Mr penalty)

Interesting that you did not see Brussouw

The Cheetahs against the Bulls would have been a lot closer if Goosen had had his kicking boots on.

But that’s the BMT that Morne has.

And why he’d still be my Springbok 10.

I really respect the player and the man, and was hoping for it to be a better read,

But it just wasn’t.

Most of the stories are already out there anyway.

So it reads more like “this happened and then this happened and then this…..”

That’s not his fault. The writer should have done a better job.

Seriously when are they starting to play , then we will have someting to say now we are just talking nonsense to get time to pass, before they start.

Next time when the Stormers thrash the Bulls at Newlands I’ll buy you a beer and dry your tears.

OK?

On a side note, and there may be other chains about this, but what are people’s thoughts on Matfield’s book?

I loved the insight but found the tone and delivery really painful. It felt like I was reading Victor’s Grade 9 Diary…Is that because he wanted to keep it simple and the author portrayed that tone? Or is this really how Big Vic would tell the story?

Even the juicy bits like Os and Jean having a raul, or Ashwin getting stuck into someone. Or even the really personal stuff like losing a friend and team mate in a car accident. Anyone ever lucky enough to hang out with Victor and hear his stories? Does he really speak like that?